Abstract: The handling of metal coils, such as coils of sheet steel, aluminum or other materials is facilitated through the use of a transfer bar which is inserted in the coils before they are removed from a rewind mandrel. In a typical operation the transfer bar is inserted between the inside diameter of the coil and the outside diameter of the rewind mandrel adjacent the coil tail after the mandrel has been collapsed. The transfer bar is then raised into engagement with the coils, contacting them adjacent their tails, and the coils are thereafter carried by the transfer bar as they are moved from the rewind mandrel to a turnstile horn and from the turnstile horn to a downlayer. As a result, removal of the coil tails from the mandrel gripper slot is facilitated, eliminating telescoping of the coils upon removal from the mandrel, and damage to the inside diameters of the coils is obviated because there is no sliding of the coils along the mandrel or turnstile horn after they are carried by the transfer bar.

Abstract: A mandrel assembly in which the mandrel segments are expanded and contracted by means of a draw rod extending through the mandrel and driven by the same motor that rotates the mandrel during winding or unwinding operations. The draw rod is fixed for rotation with the mandrel but is movable longitudinally thereof and is provided with power threads on one end which are in engagement with complementary power threads on a nut member carried by the motor shaft. A drive gear is keyed to the nut member so that it is rotatable with the nut member but capable of movement longitudinally thereof into and out of engagement with a driven gear secured to the mandrel. A nonrotatable gear segment is mounted for shifting movement with the drive gear and moves into engagement with the driven gear as the drive gear is disengaged from the driven gear to lock the mandrel against rotation.